What is the difference between a BSN vs. MSN? BSN and MSN degrees are both nursing degrees. However, a BSN is a bachelor's degree designed to allow non-nurses to sit for the NCLEX and become nurses. An MSN is a graduate degree that provides a pathway for career advancement.
If you are thinking about pursuing a career in nursing, there are many factors to consider. For example, what type of nurse do you want to become? What is your preferred nursing specialty? Which degree should you earn to become a nurse? Many bachelor’s-level nursing education offerings take place over the course of a traditional four-year degree path. Other options like Mercer University’s Second-Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track in Atlanta, Georgia, can be completed in as few as 12 months.
When it comes to choosing a nursing degree that is right for you, it can be overwhelming to navigate through the options. The first step is understanding the various academic tracks in the nursing field, such as BSN and MSN degrees. Here, we will explore these degree tracks and the differences between BSN vs. MSN degrees.
What Is a BSN?
When deciding between an MSN vs. BSN degree, consider researching the different available degree pathways. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an undergraduate degree, and attaining this degree qualifies a person to sit for the NCLEX exam and pursue professional licensure. Passing the NCLEX is necessary to obtain a nursing license, which is mandatory for all practicing nurses.
BSN Degree Overview
A BSN degree is an effective introduction to the nursing field. It teaches students the fundamentals of nursing concepts and theories in areas ranging from health assessment to pharmacology. BSN students will also complete nursing labs and clinical rotations to develop clinical skills. These clinical placements provide hands-on work experience in top-area healthcare facilities. A traditional on-campus BSN degree most often requires four years to complete, but accelerated tracks like Mercer’s can be completed much more quickly.
ADN vs. BSN: Consider these factors when choosing the right nursing degree for you.
Career Opportunities With a BSN
After earning a BSN, passing the NCLEX, and obtaining a nursing license, you will be prepared to pursue entry-level positions as a registered nurse. There is a broad range of nursing specialties to consider, such as:
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Urgent care nursing
- Ambulatory care
- Long-term care
- Orthopedic nursing
- Dialysis nursing
- Oncology
Salary Expectations for BSN Holders
Salary expectations for BSN holders can vary widely, depending on factors such as nursing specialty, employer, geographic location, years of experience, and additional credentials like certifications. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for RNs was $86,070 as of May 2023.
Career Pathway: ABSN Tracks
There are other pathways to earn a BSN. If you have no prior college education, you will need to attend a traditional four-year nursing school to earn your degree. If you have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than nursing, you may be eligible to attend an ABSN track, such as the one available at Mercer University.
With Mercer’s ABSN track, you can apply your prior college education to earn your nursing degree in less time. You could graduate in as few as 12 months upon successful completion of any necessary prerequisites.
What is an accelerated nursing track? Learn more about it here!
What Is an MSN?
If you are considering whether to earn a BSN or MSN, exploring an MSN degree can be helpful to determine which degree better suits your goals. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a graduate degree that requires approximately two years to complete. Most MSN degrees are designed for active, licensed nurses aiming to further their education, perhaps to pursue career advancement. Most MSN degrees require a BSN and a nursing license.
MSN Degree Overview
An MSN degree covers clinical knowledge and skills that go beyond the material covered in a BSN degree. Often, students earn an MSN in a specialty area, such as adult gerontology, nurse informatics, or public health nursing. An MSN can allow students to deepen their expertise in their chosen specialty area while preparing for potential career advancement.
Some MSN degrees are direct-entry MSN degrees. These tracks are designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and want to become a nurse. These degrees provide a path to licensure and often take two to three years to complete, though shorter options are also available. Mercer’s Accelerated BSN track provides an opportunity to complete your nursing education in as few as 12 months — which is sooner than most direct-entry MSN programs.
Career Opportunities With an MSN
So, what could you do with a BSN vs. MSN in nursing? If you earn a master’s degree in nursing, you might pursue a leadership position that is separate from clinical nursing. For example, you could become a nurse manager, nurse administrator, or nurse educator. If you prefer to stick with clinical nursing, you might instead use your MSN to qualify for a board certification exam to become an advanced practice registered nurse.
There are multiple types of APRNs. The four main categories are:
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Nurse practitioner
- Certified nurse midwife
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist
In addition to obtaining board certification, aspiring APRNs must obtain an additional license from their state.
Salary Expectations for MSN Holders
Roles that require more education generally come with higher salaries. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for most types of APRNs was $129,480 as of May 2023.
BSN vs. MSN Degree: How Are They Different?
Comparing BSN and MSN degrees includes factors like eligibility requirements and the career prospects associated with each. Now we can compare each degree path and explore their main differences.
Scope and Focus of the Degree
Generally, BSN degrees are broader in scope. The BSN prepares individuals with a non-nursing background to handle nursing challenges, including head-to-toe patient assessments, IV insertion, and team collaboration.
In contrast, master’s degrees in nursing generally have a more narrow focus. The master’s degree explores a nursing specialty, preparing nurses to deepen their skill set. Alternatively, an MSN can qualify a nurse to access certain training programs and switch to a different specialty area.
Degree Requirements for Graduation
The degree requirements for graduation are established by each school and nursing track. In general, a BSN degree will often require more credits for graduation than an MSN. Students in a BSN track must complete a curriculum based on coursework, labs, and clinical rotations. Students in an MSN track will focus predominantly on coursework, although they may also be required to complete practicum or field experience hours. Generally, an MSN degree will require far fewer practicum hours compared to the clinical rotations of a BSN degree.
Career Outcomes and Advancement
An undergraduate degree in nursing prepares students to pursue a wide range of entry-level nursing jobs. An MSN degree prepares graduates for career advancement opportunities, such as roles like a nurse manager or an APRN.
Master’s in Nursing vs. Bachelor’s in Nursing: Choosing the Degree for You
After comparing the differences between BSN vs. MSN degrees, you can determine which is the better option for your education and future career. Some nurses choose to earn both a BSN and MSN, although they will generally gain at least a few years of clinical experience between the two degree tracks.
Who Should Pursue a BSN?
If you are not a licensed registered nurse but you would like to be, a BSN degree may be the right path for you. Earning a BSN will prepare you to sit for the NCLEX and to enter the workforce as a licensed, registered nurse.
Who Should Pursue an MSN?
If you have a BSN degree, then pursuing an MSN degree may be the right path for you. A master’s degree can allow you to work toward career advancement, deepen your clinical knowledge, and help you contribute toward better patient outcomes.
Begin Your Nursing Education at Mercer University
Whichever nursing degree you choose, Mercer University can help you get started toward a rewarding career. If you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible to apply to our ABSN track, which can provide a path to earn your BSN in as few as 12 months upon completion of any necessary prerequisites.
At Mercer University, you will find highly dedicated nursing instructors, state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, small class sizes, and Academic Success Coaches who will support your progress. Contact an enrollment counselor today to learn more about earning your BSN at Mercer University.